By Pastor Steve Nickodemus
Trusting in Jesus
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“And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep.”
Matthew 8:24 English Standard Version
Jesus led his disciples into a boat and they followed him. And when a giant storm arose and they were afraid, he was asleep. They awoke him, crying out, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing!”
Those disciples sound a lot like me sometimes. I am trying to follow Jesus, committed to him and his ways, and then some really bad things happen. Like violence or threats or grief or pain or conflicts. And I am not only afraid, but I question whether Jesus actually cares about me and my situation.
Do you ever feel that way? That Jesus is asleep in the boat and you are about to be lost? Listen to what Jesus says to you and me, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Why are we afraid? Because we think Jesus is like us; unreliable, uncaring, selfish, and not to be trusted.
But Jesus is not like us, sinners that we are! Jesus rises and rebukes the wind and the waves and continues to love his fearful and wavering disciples. Jesus knows exactly what he is doing. He knows where he is taking us and he can be relied on to get us there. And although he assures us again and again that he loves us and died for us and has a place already prepared in heaven for us, we still struggle to trust him. Praise God that Jesus continues to love us even when we are afraid and in doubt and in despair!
“Jesus, Savior, pilot me Over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treacherous shoal. Chart and compass come from thee. Jesus, Savior, pilot me.”
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church Colorado Springs, Colorado
